COLD SPELLS COST BEARCATS, LADY BEARCATS

After two first half battles, a pair of third quarter cold spells were disastrous for the Bearcats and Lady Bearcats in Conference 3A-1 losses Tuesday night in Charleston.

Bearcats

There were three ties and four lead changes in the first half with the Bearcats twice drawing even on 3s by Jace Washburn.

Following a Washburn 3 that tied it at 18-18 the Bearcats got a basket from Noah Harrel and a free throw from Washburn to lead 21-18 with 3:20 left in the half.

The Tigers pulled ahead 23-21 by halftime and with 6:31 to play in the third quarter Harrel hit a 3 to give the Bearcats a 24-23 lead.

Charleston then went on a 19-2 run and led 42-26.

The Bearcats (4-8, 1-3 Conference 3A-1) whittled the deficit to nine on baskets by Harrel (shown), Washburn, and Macolen Tillery, the final time being with 2:33 to play, but could get no closer.

Washburn led the Bearcats with 14 points and Dakota Mattson added 9.

Lady Bearcats

The girls game was even closer in the first half with seven tie scores and 10 lead changes.

The seventh tie of the half came on a 3 by Anna Ferguson with 4:35 to play in the half that made it 27-27.

At that point the teams cooled quickly and the only points the rest of the quarter came :03 before the break to give Charleston a 29-27 advantage.

Charleston would lead the rest of the way though a pair of Tempi Terry free throws had it a 32-31 game with 5:13 to go in the third quarter and another Ferguson basket made it 35-33 with 4:35 left in the quarter.

Charleston, however, scored the next 18 points and led by 20.

Ferguson led the Lady Bearcats (7-8, 1-2 Conference 3A-1) with 12 points and both Terry and Brown scored 8.

Both teams are scheduled to be back in action Friday against Paris at Bearcat Gymnasium, but a winter weather storm is threatening those games.

The Bearcats are also scheduled to host Mansfield on Saturday evening.